If there is one area of focus that John McCain should be given undeniable praise on, it would be his push for the surge strategy in Iraq.  It was upon adopting his proposed military strategy that we were, finally, able to begin taking control of the situation on the ground. 

Today, McCain called for a similar strategy to be undertaken in Afghanistan.  In doing so, he took the opportunity to also take some swipes at Barack Obama's military strategies, or lack thereof, in the region.  Read more here.

McCain has described Obama's call for withdrawal from Iraq as tantamount to declaring defeat and points to the lower levels of violence in Iraq as evidence that sending additional U.S. troops there has been a successful strategy.

"Sen. Obama will tell you we can't win in Afghanistan without losing in Iraq. In fact, he has it exactly backwards," McCain told a town hall meeting. "It is precisely the success of the surge in Iraq that shows us the way to succeed in Afghanistan."

McCain added: "I know how to win wars. And if I'm elected president, I will turn around the war in Afghanistan, just as we have turned around the war in Iraq, with a comprehensive strategy for victory."

McCain laid out a blueprint for intensified military efforts in Afghanistan, where nine U.S. soldiers were killed and 14 injured in a militant attack Sunday, the U.S. military's highest death toll there in three years.

As part of his reasoning for this needed change in strategy in Afghanistan, McCain noted the recent regrouping of our enemies in the region - much of which can be attributed to the seasonal nature of their abilities to fight improving following the bitterly cold months where they have been forced to hold up.

"The status quo is not acceptable. Security in Afghanistan has deteriorated, and our enemies are on the offensive," he said. "From the moment the next president walks into the Oval Office, he will face critical decisions and crucial decisions about Afghanistan."

Three more brigades should be sent to Afghanistan, McCain said, as well as a presidential envoy to deal with countries vying for power in the region.

I have little doubt that the present increase of violence in Afghanistan will once again be quelled to a large degree once the harsher, colder months once again arrive.  The question that remains to be seen, however, is who will be our Commander-in-Chief come next January?  Who will determine the strategy our military leadership should employ come May, 2009 when that next wave of barbarians emerge from their caves?

The U.S. Senate has passed an update to the nation's FISA laws by a margin of 69-28, which finally brings the 30-year-old standards for electronic surveillance into the 21st century. See the story at FoxNews.com.

The new standards that have passed the House and Senate are now being sent on to President Bush for his impending signature.  These updated measures will now give the communications companies - that are a necessity in assisting the government - immunity from being sued by individuals for those efforts to conduct surveillance on foreign terrorists planning to wage war against U.S. citizens within our country and against our troops on foreign soil.

I find it interesting that Barack Obama, in earlier attempts at amending the bill, voted for failed efforts to keep out the immunity for our telecommunications companies. But, when the rubber actually hit the road, this turned out to be just another one of the instances of late where his campaign rhetoric over the past year did not serve his new found political needs to move away from his ultra-liberal views and towards the center.  It's basically a case of him being fine with engaging in all of the self-serving, left-wing chatter he can spew out to the liberal masses when he needs them, but when it actually comes down to going along with sound and vital national security policy, the actual right thing to do is as plain as day.

It really makes you wonder how much longer it will be until those at 'MoveOn' & Company go all out in their support for Ralph Nader?  Obama is clearly aware of the fact that the fringe left is not going to be able to serve him the presidency on a platter - the Democratic nomination was another story.  Their seperation anxiety from Obama must certainly be getting intense right now.  The question is if they can hold out until November.  It is only after he would be elected that he would surely placate them once again.

Muslim presidents, prime ministers and monarchs from at least 40 Muslim states attempted to address the issue, with 5,000 delegates, at last week's summit of the OIC held in this West African capital.

Despite early resistance, primarily from Iran, the OIC approved its first new charter since 1971, which included an unprecedented mandate to address human rights issues, intervene on behalf of women's rights and combat poverty and social injustice.

"To fly, you need two wings; we now have those wings," said OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, who was re-elected for a five-year term.

President Bush sent U.S. envoy Sada Cumber, a Pakistani-American businessman, to increase dialogue with the Muslim world.

Most Muslim leaders attending the event welcomed what they called a "new U.S. approach" to the Middle East and Islam in general.

The choice of Senegal to host the OIC summit was deliberate.

Africa's block of 27 nations voiced determination to promote Islamic-Christian dialogue and stimulate development in the Muslim world.

I think its notable that Africa's 27-nation bloc was mentioned, in particular, regarding their strong leadership on pushing for reform across the Islamic world - I wonder how much of this progressive attitude could be found to be a direct reflection coming from the unprecedented good will and "planting of seeds" President Bush has undertaken across the African continent over the course of his presidency?

There's this great new book out on Amazon that takes the libs to task. It talks about Global Warming, The War on Terror, Illegal Immigration on more.

I love the way it combines hard facts with irreverant humor.

The book is "Liberalism & How It's Destroying America" out on Amazon.